Tour Classes in Chicago, IL

Join bird expert Alan Anderson to explore the best spots in the Garden for locating late-winter bird residents and the early migrants of spring. Each walk is approximately one to two hours long. Dress for the weather, and bring binoculars and a field guide, if you have one.

Forest bathing refers to the practice of immersing all of your senses in the healing forest to reduce stress hormones and increase immune function. Connect with forest life around you through mindful activities on a gentle walk, typically covering less than a mile, and ending with a simple tea ceremony utilizing native plants.​​ Dress for the...

Chicago is a great city for biking. The amazing lakefront and parks, the rich history, and spectacular architecture provides for a great experience. Add to that Bike and Roll’s friendly tour guides, and what you have is your best day in Chicago!  Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to departure time.  All tours return to start location....

Chicago is a great city for biking. The amazing lakefront and parks, the rich history, and spectacular architecture provides for a great experience. Add to that Bike and Roll’s friendly tour guides, and what you have is your best day in Chicago!  Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to departure time. Tour is about 2-3.5 hours long. All tours...

For one cold winter month only, the Regenstein Center and the Garden’s Greenhouses are filled with more than 10,000 orchids for our annual Orchid Show. Join Wade Wheatley to learn about the various varieties of orchids, watering and growing techniques, and a behind-the-scenes perspective on how the Orchid Show was created.  A short tour of the...

Dwarf conifers are excellent additions to any garden, particularly for adding four-season interest. Broaden your plant knowledge and design palette with this illustrated lecture and Garden tour. Learn to identify and use dwarf conifers for big impact. 

Tour the Garden’s spring containers and collect ideas for your own. Then create a container with plants that can tolerate the varying spring temperatures and a full-sun to partial-shade location. Pansies, forced bulbs, and other spring treasures may be used. 

Join us for a discussion of orchid cultural requirements, focusing on the orchid root system and the importance of proper potting. Discover what makes a good potting mix, how to pot for different growing conditions and how to troubleshoot poor growth, a lack of flowers, and dying leaves. It’s all in the roots! A tour of the Orchid Show is includ...

The Garden’s production department grows nearly a half-million plants every year. Join Tim Pollak for a behind-the-scenes tour through the Chicago Botanic Garden’s greenhouses and nursery. Be the first to see which spring annuals will appear in the 2019 annual display beds, hanging baskets, containers, and hanging hayracks. You will also get a...

Enjoy a tour featuring the summer containers at the Garden. Then prepare a warm-season mixed container suitable for a sun or partial shade location. Your container may include annuals, perennials, herbs, and decorative foliage. Please bring gloves.